Catra decided she hated infirmaries. They were all the same, no matter how well they dressed. Brightmoon may have hidden that better than the Horde, but some things seemed universal. All the soft curtains and golden beds couldn't hide the smell of sickness hiding underneath layers of strong cleaners.

The people were more sociable but no less strict. It was different though. In the Horde, everything was geared towards getting you up and moving again. Catra rarely spent more than a day in the medical area when growing up. In Brightmoon, however, they prioritized getting everyone treated fully before they left. The doctors and nurses had to strap Glimmer down to keep her in place while they worked.

The other princesses had similar attitudes, wanting nothing more than to be released from their beds and move on with their lives. It starkly contrasted how Catra and the others from the Horde acted. Usually, when someone made a fuss they were kicked out and didn't receive treatment. You learned to be quiet fairly quickly because of that.

Catra's eyes met Adora's because of course she was staring again. It seemed to be the idiot's new pastime. Catra had already caught her four times since they were plopped into their beds. In fact, she was pretty sure the beds were closer than they were a few moments ago.

She scowled and looked away towards her arm. Bandages covered everything from the elbow down. The doctor that treated her spent a long time removing the armor and all the cloth underneath that had melted into her skin. She hadn't felt a thing. He had given her a numbing agent that hadn't worn off quite yet.

The clack of boots against the polished floor reached her ears causing them to swivel in place. Vader's breathing came next. She, as well as everyone else, turned to watch as he swept over to her. His armor was still covered in dust and debris from his fight and he held a glass cylinder filled with a clear, viscous liquid in one hand,

He stopped at the foot of Catra's bed. As he stared down at her the pit in her stomach grew. She cycled through the possibilities of what he was going to say. Would he scold her for all the injuries that happened on the mission? Maybe for using the first escape plan early, requiring a hectic extraction.

"How are you feeling?" Vader asked after a moment. The words were filled with as much concern as Catra had ever heard from him.

"W-what?" Catra asked back, once again cursing at how small her voice sounded. She gritted her teeth and spoke again. "I'm fine."

A strangled coughing sound came from Adora's bed. Catra's head snapped around to glare at her once friend. The blonde tried to cover for the fact she'd been listening by covering her mouth with a hand as she faked a coughing fit. Unfortunately, it was nowhere near convincing.

"It seems others think differently, and for what it's worth, so do I," Vader said. He waved his hand causing a stool to skitter across the room to him. He sat down, his large cape billowing behind him before it settled on the floor. "You have been wounded, and have used powers that are far beyond your current skills, powers that I would never have taught you, so I need to know how you're feeling after that."

The uncomfortable feeling curled in her gut again. Why couldn't he just say what was wrong and get it over with? Give her something to correct, to get better at, to Then she realized the implications.

"Never taught me? What does that mean?" A part of her, an echoing memory sounding like Shadow Weaver, told her not to raise her voice toward her superior, but she couldn't care less at the moment. "Are you talking about the lightning? Shadow Weaver uses lightning too, from her dark powers, it's like the dark side, right? But when she does it, it's dark and red not blue and white, yet they felt even more powerful and dark, what's the deal with that?" She then realized her tone "Sorry."

She knew the man had his secrets, yet she couldn't help but be curious. This lightning, wherever it came from, was strong enough to overwhelm Shadow Weaver. The old bitch had always been proud of her powers, always using them to punish her, to use her as an example to get precious Adora to behave. Yet, against her blue lightning? The comparison was like normal Adora or even Kyle to Adora's freak She-ra appearance.

"You're smiling, it seems my worries were out of place." The dry tone in Vader's voice snapped her out of her contemplation, and she realized that she indeed was smiling, it almost hurt her cheeks, but she didn't care.

"Why shouldn't I be smiling? I got new powers! On my own at that! Once I'm healed, I can go train, I just need to understand how to use them at will and-"

"You will not use this power anymore as long as I am your master, and even after, if I have something to say about it."

The brusque answer snapped her out of her rambling, and she shrunk in on herself, "Forgive me, Teacher, I promise I will never-" she blurted out before realizing what she was swearing "Wait, why shouldn't I?" She looked back at him, glaring slightly. "Maybe it's too early to use, and it's a dark power. But I promise to wait to use it only when I'm ready, I don't see why I couldn't use it once I have become proficient enough with my powers. You weren't there to see it, but I crushed Shadow Weaver. If that was then with my untrained skills, then once I have the mastery of it, no one could stand up to me!"

"That is what I am afraid of," he said, his voice sounding almost like a whisper compared to his usual one, she wondered for an instant if he could whisper in his situation.

"Why would you be afraid?" She scoffed "I saw you fight. I know you hold yourself back when dueling with me. Maybe someday I could take you, but I don't think you would ever be an easy challenge. Shouldn't I want to get stronger though?"

She somehow felt his eyes on her, and for the first time, she felt… Sadness? Or was it pity? Whichever it was, it was similar to when Adora apologized when Catra had to be punished because of her, yet, unlike then, she didn't feel angry or even annoyed, she could only feel curious at the novelty.

"Teacher?" She asked despite herself, unable not to use a respectful title to address the man "Why don't you want me to learn this power? You're constantly stating that I need to use the Force. To not limit myself like Jedi or the Sith. How is this different?"

He took what sounded, even by his standards, like a deep breath before answering. "The Sith, though they liked to see themselves as better than the Jedi, were even worse hypocrites, and this is without even thinking of their countless crimes throughout the ages. My goal with our training is to make you free from your shackles, all of them, to make you strong, to neither be in thrall to your emotions as well as to have the possibility of listening to them. To be one with the Force yet apart, capable of making your own decisions. To not be a slave to the Galaxy like the Jedi Order or a leech, like the Sith."

He paused again, gazing at the wall in thought before speaking once more. "However, my young apprentice, there may be something you didn't realize, that may be my fault, but the Dark side and the Light are not equals." His voice was firm at that moment.

"There's the Force. Life, harmony, serenity, and even death are a part of this. Some might call this balance, the natural order of all there is. There is darkness born from it, as there is in nature. But the burning sickness that we call the dark side is different than the natural darkness the galaxy is capable of. Because of that, a Force user that allows the darkside to take root is just like a blade that can be poisoned, in our case by a poison that destroys the blade."

She thought she understood the allegory, and the implications weren't pleasing. She glanced down at the bandages coiled around her arm.

"A poisoned blade, even if only half poisoned, is still poisoned. Just like you drinking one glass of poison and three glasses of fresh water you would still end up poisoned. It is toxic, and even if the poison could be necessary for one reason or another, becoming reliant on it will change you… In most severe ways." When saying this, his voice became quieter, and she thought of the fact he had been crippled, wondering how much the dark side had to do with it. "What did you feel when you used this power, apprentice?" he seemed genuinely curious at the moment, much to her surprise.

"Shadow Weaver, she… she attacked me, I used the Force to deflect her attacks like you taught me, but it wasn't enough. Then…" Catra trailed off, frowning as she tried to figure out exactly what happened and how to explain it. "I… I think I stored the energy?" She looked up at Vader as if asking for confirmation.

"Tutaminis," Vader answered, nodding his head. "It is a natural extension of the techniques I've been teaching you. And rather impressive that you were able to use the skill in this way."

Catra ducked her head, wanting to steer the conversation away from the unexpected compliment. "Right, then she stopped and I had all this extra energy… And I was so angry, I wanted to hurt her, make her feel what I felt all these years." she only could say that in a low voice, somehow feeling ashamed in admitting her feelings despite having no guilt in inflicting pain on that monster.

"Then why didn't you kill her? It was your right." his voice was even, but she felt an understanding from him. Was it empathy? She didn't understand why she could feel his emotions so easily now unlike before, but the Force was weird, and she didn't want to complain about that.

"It felt… good to make her suffer, but then I-" Why did she stop? She could have killed Shadow Weaver. She instinctively looked at Adora, catching her hurryingly turning away, clearly having been following their conversation. Catra snapped her mouth shut, remembering how scared Adora was of her at that moment. Why did it always come back to her? To the girl that left her behind.

Vader didn't seem to mind her hesitation. "I understand, truth be told, this proves you have greater control than I would have expected," he said. He was silent for a moment before leaning forward. "Force Lightning, in its most used form, is fueled by one and only one thing. Hate, although some can fuel it with other emotions. A sadistic desire to inflict pain can more than often come along with it. The one who put me in this armor certainly felt that way."

The words hit her like a blow to the chest, the implications ringing in her head. Vader had suffered like she had. The revelation made her almost miss his next words as she rolled it over in her mind.

"You may have used it out of a desire for survival, to protect yourself from a dangerous foe, whom many, including myself, would say your hate for was justified. I understand and won't condemn you for it. Admittedly, your ability to contain yourself, to pull back from that edge, is far greater than mine was. Still, if you were to continue down this path unheaded, I have good reasons to fear the person you are now will cease to be."

"Your armor, is vulnerable to lightning, isn't it." That wasn't a question. It clicked together too nicely with how he often referred to his armor. "Sorry."

Catra scowled at her bandaged arm. She hated being unable to use these powers, but She didn't think she'd be willing to use them against Vader. He'd saved her, and cared for her in his way, even more than Adora was cared for back at the Fright Zone. So if he didn't want her to use them she wouldn't. Even if she wanted to.

That ache eased some more as she worked through the rest of what Vader said. Maybe it would be better to just, move on. Work on other things. That power, from what he described it to her, was somehow even worse than what Shadow Weaver did to her. That vile witch was the only one she wanted to inflict that kind of pain on, with perhaps Lonnie or Hordak as a distant second.

"You shouldn't be, young apprentice. If anything I would be disappointed if you didn't question me." He sounded amused, almost causing her to blush. "I understand your frustration, so trust me in that I do not forbid that lightly, however, my state means that I cannot teach you even if I desired to do so."

Catra stared at him, understanding the situation but still bitter.

"Uh, Mister Vader, Sir?" Catra was snapped out of her thoughts, remembering that Adora had been there the whole time.

"I am not your commanding officer young Adora, you can call me Vader," he said, causing Adora to stiffen slightly.

"Well, Vader," Adora grimaced slightly at his name, unused to such informality. "I, might have a, uh, suggestion?"

The man merely nodded, but this seemed enough to get Adora to continue.

"That lightning power Catra used, to be honest, I don't know it, except that it's… well it's utterly terrifying, and I believe you when you say it's not something that should be relied upon, but…" Adora looked uncomfortable, turning her eyes to Catra before taking a deep breath. "What if I was the one who trained with Catra to get her to master this power?" She said, causing Catra to let out a bark of laughter.

"I'm sorry, did you just lose the rest of your brain cells with the princesses, Adora?" she growled, causing her once-friend to look at her in surprise. Really what was she thinking? She was scared of them. "I beat Shadow Weaver with this power! You saw it, and you were…" She trailed off, not wanting to bring up the fear she saw. "You may have your muscular form, but muscles won't make you any less sensitive to them, why would you want to be electrocuted?!" she then remembered another detail "Wait, you can't even transform anymore, so how are you going to be useful?!"

That caused Adora to frown "Who's to say that my powers won't come back quickly? And if anything, it only strengthens my point!" She sighed and slumped against the bed she was in, running a hand over her face. "The Horde is a threat to the entire World. We will need all the assets possible if we want to win. If you can master it? We may stand a chance even without She-Ra."

Catra snorted "And I thought those pampered morons made you stupid, but as much as I like your reasoning, Vader used the Force in battle before we were born, and he's not a fan of that one, so what's your idea for the problems with these powers, genius?" She asked snidely. She leaned over the edge of the bed. "Besides, I agreed to help get you out of the Frightzone. I didn't agree to join you and your friends."

Adora's face scrunched together in what Catra recognized as her ignoring something face. "Whether or not you stay, training could help. Vader said the lightning used by the dark side often comes alongside a desire to torture, a feeling of hate. It's used by evil people to make innocents suffer, like Shadow Weaver, but what if you were hateful only of bad people? If you only desire to destroy evil, to stop suffering instead of having the goal of inflicting it, wouldn't it be enough?"

"That… is a dangerous road to tread down," Vader answered. "I understand your perspective. It is one I once held." He leaned forward and Catra could feel his presence bare down on the two of them. That cold fury, mixed with grief and longing. "And I tore apart the galaxy. Crushed it underneath my boot in the name of safety and security."

This wasn't a side of Vader that Catra saw often. She figured he'd have some ghost from his past. The old man from months ago mentioned an Empire in relation to her time in the Horde. The idea of a Horde that spread across an entire galaxy was terrifying in a strange way. A part of her wondered what would have happened to her if she'd been raised in the Empire and not the Horde. Would Vader have still found her?

Adora had launched into her next argument. She wouldn't let this go, Catra knew that. She was too stubborn. "I mean, lightning isn't something evil, it's just electricity. Why should only evil people be able to use it? How is it wrong to try to see good in something just because it seems like it can only be evil?" She said with a smile, as if it wasn't something hard to think of, 'which probably wasn't the case if she came up with it.' thought Catra uncharitably.

This however seemed to surprise Vader, who chuckled softly at the blonde's answer. "That is, an interesting perspective, young one. Although I do wonder how you would intend to have the training happen without the use of your powers."

"I already thought of it, once she's healed enough, Catra could train with the princesses, for all of her powers and skills!" The bright smile she gave them made Catra shiver, no, she wouldn't waste her time with highborn wastes of space! She had Proxy, she had Vader, she didn't need-

"That… would indeed be a most instructive experience." Vader turned to her, his black lenses unwavering, though she could sense amusement from him. "I believe my apprentice and their highnesses would benefit greatly from such experiences, and it would allow her to get back into shape after the recent events," Vader said, a mix of smugness present in his voice when he said that. Catra couldn't help but groan, it was going to be a pain. He then turned to her before using the Force to pull one of the many medical trays close to him. "Thankfully, I had enough bacta to help with your injuries as well."

He placed the odd cylinder he had brought with him on the tray. It was long enough for Catra's arm, filled with a clear viscous liquid that barely moved when jostled. A rubber valve covered the end of the cylinder, clearly made for something to be inserted.

"You want me to stick my arm in that?" Catra asked, her nose wrinkling in disgust.

"If you wish to be healed tonight, yes." Vader tilted his head, pushing the cylinder towards her. "Otherwise, your injuries may take weeks, even months to be healed."

Her arm twitched as a spike of pain shot through it like someone stabbed a needle into her hand. The painkillers must have been wearing off and Catra had no desire to experience that pain anymore. "Fine." Using a claw she cut off her bandages. The already soiled strips of cloth fell away revealing the damage underneath. She tried not to look, she'd already gotten an eyeful when the doctor was cleaning it off, but she still caught glimpses of the ruined fur and skin underneath. Vader's words of warning rang in her mind, of a blade destroyed by the poison applied to it.

The relief was immediate as the thick liquid flowed around her arm. Warmth spread across her limb, causing her to shudder, especially when the uncomfortable tingling started. She settled back, trying to ignore the odd feelings. She wasn't in pain so this counted as a win.

Her ears twitched when the room went silent and still. The Queen was here, standing at the front of the room, her gaze locked on Vader. For a moment everything stopped as the two of them stared at each other.

The moment was broken when Glimmer lept from her bed, wrapping her arms around Angella. "Mom!"

They held tightly to each other, Angella whispering soft words into her daughter's hair, too quiet for even Catra to hear. Whatever was said made the princess squirm out of her mother's arms and fixed her with an exasperated look.

"I'm fine, Scorpia has it worse-"

"And I am not her mother!" The Queen said, speaking over Glimmer with a glare. Her face softened a second later, her hand cupping her daughter's cheek. "I am just glad to see you back home, safe and sound after everything." She pulled Glimmer into another hug, causing the princess to groan again.

Her attention returned to Vader as she let her daughter go, directing her back to bed with a few words. She glided across the room, holding herself much the same way as she had back in the clearing. Her eyes flicked between Adora and Catra for a second, lingering longer on Catra's arm inside the tube of bacta.

"It appears that I not only owe you an apology, but a thank you as well," the Queen said, bowing slightly to Vader. "You've returned my daughter to me, as well as Adora." She stood back up, her brow furrowed slightly. "That's not exactly what I expected from a Sith."

"As I said before I'm no longer a Sith. They are gone, for the moment at least." Vader said. "And I have no need for your thanks, though your apology is accepted." He leaned forward. "If you would answer a question. How do you know of the Sith? I'm not surprised about knowing the Jedi, but most in the galaxy are unaware of the difference between the two."

Angella narrowed her eyes. "I remember a time before Etheria was cut off from the rest of the galaxy. My mother told me stories of the Jedi when they were more common here. However, by the time I was coming into adulthood, they were mostly absent from this planet. Except for one."

Surprise radiated from Vader for a second. "There was a Jedi here when the planet was-"

"Yes. Her name was Naenia Shan."

"So that's what happened to the last descendant of Grandmaster Satele Shan." Vader's head tilted again as he thought before turning to Catra. "She was an ancient Jedi, around for the Great Galactic War nearly four thousand years ago. Supposedly, she was descended from the Sith Darth Revan, though any proof for such a claim has been long lost. There are many conflicting accounts for that time in galactic history."

So now they were having a history lesson. Great. Catra let herself sink further into her bed, though her arm that was trapped in the cylinder kept her from getting too comfortable. Even Adora seemed bored by the turn this conversation took. She was trying harder than Catra however, leaning closer even as she fidgeted and squirmed. Some things hadn't changed it seemed. Adora was still as restless as ever.

"Naenia spoke about those times," A flurry of emotions flitted around Angella, breaking through the calm. Happiness, sorrow, love, grief. "I often lost track of time listening to her speak about history. She seemed happier in those moments." Her gaze sharpened again as she drew herself in. "She also spoke about her time under Lord Hoth."

"She survived the Battle of Ruusan…" At Angella's nod, Vader continued. "So that's how you know of the Sith. Did she tell you-"

"Of the Thought Bomb? Yes."

Vader was silent, letting his mechanical breathing fill the void. His presence was pulled in now, hiding his thoughts even from Catra, though she suspected that his hand would be rubbing his chin if his mask wasn't in the way. "What happened to her? Did she leave anything behind? A recording perhaps?" At Angella's bristling, he raised his hand. "I do not wish to tarnish her memory, whatever that might mean to you. I'm merely curious. She would have been the last Force user on this plant till I arrived here. Hearing or reading her thoughts on this place would… Satisfy a curiosity of mine."

Angella sighed, her shoulders slumping. Again grief tinged her presence, making Catra squirm, wanting nothing more than to not be listening to this conversation. "She didn't leave much behind. She… disappeared soon after the planet was shoved into Despondos. Running after Mara again." There was a tinge of bitterness as she mentioned this.

Adora perked up at that. "Wait, you knew Mara?"

"Barely. I was young then, blinded to what was going on in the world at that time." Angella placed a hand on Adora's bed as she looked over at her. "And She-Ra wasn't needed as much as she is now. I never spent that much time around Mara, though I knew she and Naenia were close."

Adora shrunk into herself once Angella mentioned She-ra. Did the Queen know about that detail of their escape yet? The fact that She-ra had been locked away once more would mean big things for the rebellion.

"Your Majesty?" Adora said, her voice shaking. "I- Something happened…" She trailed off, avoiding the Queen's gaze. "I couldn't… I can't turn into She-Ra."

For her credit, Angella didn't react much, the widening of her eyes the only outward indication that she was shocked. Through the Force, though? A storm of emotions whirled around her. Shock, anger, worry. Then it settled into just anger. "Shadow Weaver's work?" Adora nodded and the Queen's jaw tightened. "Why am I not surprised? That witch hasn't changed in the decade that passed."

That sounded personal. Catra sat up now, her ears perking at the tone of Angella's voice. "You knew Shadow Weaver?"

"Yes." Bitterness crept into the Queen's voice. "She taught my… Late husband, long ago." She raised her hand, cutting off the questions that both Catra and Adora had. "It is not something I wish to talk about now. Just know that you are not the only ones who suffered under her cruelty." She approached Adora, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I will contact Castaspella and the other sorcerers. Perhaps they can do something-"

"We shouldn't rely on them for the moment," Vader said as he stood up. "I doubt the Horde will let this recent attack go especially when it was successful. It would be better to work under the assumption that She-Ra is unavailable."

"You suspect they will retaliate?" Angella straightened up, removing her hand from Adora's shoulder. "They would still have to get past the Whispering Woods, a feat that has escaped them for the last decade."

"They will be more motivated now. We've stabbed at the Krayt dragon's heart, to not expect an attack in turn would be foolish." He paused, turning to look at the Queen. "Could you tell me how their campaign ended ten years ago?"

Angella scoffed. "Peace, supposedly. Something I've never trusted." Her face hardened and she drew herself up. "That and the destruction of large parts of Brightmoon's countryside, but it is not something that I want to talk about in front of my daughter."

"You do her a disservice by keeping such things from her." Vader sounded annoyed as well, though not with the princess. "How do you expect them to learn from your mistakes if you don't speak of them?" Angella's eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth to speak before Vader cut her off. "But that can be tabled for now. Can I assume your apology means you're letting us stay for now?"

Angella pursed her lips, staying silent for a moment before answering. "Yes, you and your apprentice may stay in Brightmoon. You brought back my daughter, our Princess. You are welcome here for as long as you need or even wish."

"Good," He leaned forward, crossing his arms over his chest. "Then we should talk about your defenses."

"That will have to be for later, once everyone is fully healed and able to stand and listen, in the meantime…" she moved her wrist, suddenly making a cube appear "I believe this would be most useful for Young Catra here."

The cube was made of a mix of an unknown metal and crystal, and it shined a beautiful blue, somehow exulting a comforting feeling.

"A Holocron." Vader said, sounding genuinely surprised "Is it…"

"It was Naeria's Holocron, she told me what knowledge there was in it. Techniques of certain uses of the Force. She had an interest in the Force beyond what would be considered orthodox for a Jedi." She wore a wistful smile as she spoke, turning the Holocron in her hand. "After history, her favorite pastime was ranting against the reforms the order went through. I suspect she put some of those teachings in here, which would be most useful for a young Force user with a teacher that neither adheres to the Jedi or Sith ways," she said evenly, though the amusement in her eyes said otherwise.

"It is a great honor, your Majesty, I thank you for this," Vader said, and Catra felt something tap in her head, causing her to realize his intentions.

"Yes, thank you very much, your Majesty," she said, annoyed at her teacher's meddling. Gingerly she took the Holocron. A warmth spread from it to her fingertips and then further up her arm. The flames in her chest stretched out as well, touching against the device as if questioning what it was.

The Holocron glowed brighter for a moment before rising out of her palm. The corners twisted, separating to circle lazily around the device. The blue, transparent image of a woman, clothed in a strange cross of armor and robes, appeared. Her gaze was on Catra, seemingly inspecting her for a moment before speaking. "Greetings. I am Knight Naenia Shan, of the Jedi order. This is my Holocron. Inside you will find my findings of the Force as well as my notes on the planet Etheria. What knowledge do you seek?"

Catra let her flames recede, causing the Holocron to sink back into her hand, once again silent. She looked up to find both Vader and the Queen staring at her. She could sense the pride emanating from Vader, however, the Queen's expression caught her off guard. Caught somewhere between a grimace and smile, her eyes fixed on the device with a longing that made Catra's chest ache in return. She shook herself, not wanting to get involved with whatever the Queen was dealing with. It wasn't her problem.

The Queen's expression disappeared as quickly as Catra noticed it. "That is all I had for you at the moment. I expect we'll have more conversations but for now the two of you-" She gave Adora a pointed look. "-need rest." She turned back to Vader. "Will you be needing accommodations while here?"

"No, my ship is the only place set up for my needs." He gestured to the panel of blinking lights on his chest but said no more on the subject.

"Very well. I welcome the two of you to Brightmoon." With that, she swept away from them and back to her daughter.


Hordak sneered at the sight before him. The gathered soldiers stood at attention before him, forming the even, precise rows that were demanded of them. They still weren't perfect. Occasionally shifting and glancing between themselves. They were still undisciplined, even after years under his command. That would change once they came under Prime's light, but for now, this is what he had to work with.

It made him yearn to be part of his brothers again.

He straightened up, slipping on the mask of a venerable leader. That's what his soldiers needed now. After the attack on their home, their people. It would be expected that he would rally them together. And he would.

"Sons and Daughters of the Horde, soldiers of our sacred Brotherhood, this is a dire time," said Hordak, letting rage bleed into his voice. They would need that, to know their leader felt with them. "Only a few days ago, our enemies showed their hypocrisy with this vile attack, this slaughter of our own!"

Rumbles of agreement spread across the gathered soldiers. A few of them bristled at his words, letting their anger show. Good.

"These rebels hiding in Brightmoon," He clenched his fist, his other gesturing out in the direction of Brightmoon. "And the treacherous Queen Angella that protects them and constantly refused the possibility of peace, dare call us monstrous for defending our territories from their aggression." He began pacing, stalking across the platform above his gathered soldiers, his gaze sweeping across them. "For our skills and cunning through our machinery, our drive to lift this world above the archaic systems that kept it back. Yet they attacked us with such savagery. Leading the charge was a creature more machine than man, who violently slaughtered our brave soldiers, and tore apart our machines. While his apprentice, the traitor Catra, attacked her caretaker, Shadow Weaver, and disfigured Force Captain Lonnie, her squadmate, with the vilest of treachery and darkest of powers."

This visibly inflamed the soldiers. They shuffled against one another, angered mutterings spreading through their ranks. Hordak wasn't foolish enough to think Shadow Weaver was loved, but treachery was loathed, and turning on one's squadmate was the worst kind. This would elicit the reaction he needed out of them.

"Years ago, the Horde proved its strength when it crushed the old monarchs, and showed its mercy when it accepted peace with the Kingdoms. But where others were willing to cease their aggression, Brightmoon refused to abandon the traitors it had given shelter to." He slammed his fist against the railing surrounding his balcony. "They refused to humbly accept the peace that was allowed for their peers, and their latest actions, from the sheltering of the traitors Adora and Catra to the violent attacks of our own Home with the assistance of other treacherous princesses, prove then there's only fate dishonorable foes deserve. Death!"

He allowed a smile to spread across his face at the combined cheers from his soldiers. The shouting spread quickly, to a deafening roar of union. Of rage and defiance. This was what Hordak wanted. For his soldiers to be united. And Brightmoon had given them the perfect enemy to be united against when they sent Vader to get their princess back.

"Hear me, brethren!" He yelled out to be heard over the combined voices of his soldiers. They quieted again, waiting on his words. "I have new orders. Until the oath breakers kneel and are truly dealt with, burn their homes and fields. Loot their possessions, and crush the whole lot of them, bodies, and souls, with no mercy! Let there be no prisoners, and show to this world what it means to truly be at war with the Horde!"

The soldiers descended into shouting again, raising their fists as one, chanting in an undefined show of unity. He let them have this show for a moment, each of them stoking the flames of their brethren before raising his hand, silencing them once more. "Your Commanders will have the more specific tasks for your to complete. First, we must rebuild our forces, our machines, and then…" He trailed off, looking over them once more. They stood perfectly still now, as all good soldiers should. "Then, we will attack them ourselves."

He turned on his heel, leaving the soldiers behind even they began chanting again. No doubt Hordak would need to be more involved for a time. A necessary setback if the Horde was to rebuild its war machines. The time spent would eat into his experiments, but he knew it would pay off in the end. For now, though, he had a couple of smaller matters to attend to.

A/N: Hello there! Two months this time, that's better right? Had a lot of help with this one. I doubt I would have finished this chapter as fast without Aemon_Targaryen13 helping out. He wrote a signification portion of this chapter actually, which really helped keep things on track. Anyway, I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter, and I'll see you in the future.